A Theoretical Framework for the Evaluation from the Traditional Mashrabiya to Modern Mashrabiya

Abstract

Finding a favorable trade-off between saving the architectural heritage, and assuring the development of modern architecture is a delicate and precise task, due to the lack of knowledge in the original criteria for the re-thinking of traditional architecture. As a tentative answer to this challenge, this paper attempts to shed light on Mashrabiya (traditional Arab oriel window) as a powerful environmental element in modern architecture, with regard to the important functions that it provides, such as light control, airflow regulation, humidity control, temperature regulation and visual privacy. Due to these functions, Mashrabiya achieved widespread popularity around the old world and it has been revived again in many contemporary projects by different modern versions. The objective of this study also is presenting a general evaluation for the modern Mashrabiya to observe the misconceptions of using the Mashrabiya and to call for stop ignoring of the proper standards of Mashrabiya design and to preserve the original name of this element "Mashrabiya"